Poems benefit from having a theme
As long as it isn’t ‘it was all a dream’.
Poems are better for
Full use of metaphor.

And poetry can rhyme, without any harm,
Finding the right word can be part of its attraction,
Making the time for meticulous redaction
Can lead to results that surprise and delight.

Poetry is poetry for all sorts of reasons
But heightened impact of words is the key.
Rhyme plays its part giving poems esprit
When esprit’s what’s needed, or comforting calm.

Poems may rhyme, though not necessarily,
And never resorting to words such as ‘verily’.
There is surely no reason why poems shouldn’t rhyme
In fact poets do it all of the time,

Think of Byron, think of Pope,
Simon Armitage, Wendy Cope,
Think of Keats, – just think of Keats…
Think of the Georgians. Think of the Beats

(For the sake of the rhyme; largely they’re unaligned with rhyme).
And then there’s McGonagall – maligned for rhyme crime.
Think of Manley Hopkins, having a fine time
With a fine rhyme.

So poetry can rhyme, and if it’s rhymeless
And if it’s metrical time-less,
What makes it poetry? I’m looking for
The striking, sparkling metaphor.